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Does Kristin Ess Cause Hair Loss? What About Their Shampoo?

Published: Sep 4, 2022 · Modified: Dec 27, 2023 by Kenneth Byrd · This post may contain affiliate links

A cute black female washed her wet hair with a sulfate-free shampoo and styled it with cruelty-free black seed oil.

Kristin Ess's product line, which goes by the same name, is under fire right now. Many customers who have used the line have reported excessive shedding and hair loss.

Kristen Ess is a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with stars like Lauren Conrad and Lucy Hale. She launched her own line of haircare products in 2011, and it currently includes shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, hair oils, and more.

Whether you're considering using Kristen Ess products or you're already using them and worried about hair loss, we can help. In this article, we'll explore whether Kristen Ess products actually cause hair loss.

Table of Contents

  • 1 Key Takeaways
  • 2 Does Kristin Ess Cause Hair Loss?
    • 2.1 Customers Are Speaking Up
  • 3 Why People Experience Hair Loss with Kristin Ess Products
    • 3.1 The Products’ Ingredients Are Questionable at Best
    • 3.2 Some Customers May Have Been Allergic
    • 3.3 Some Customers May Have Already Damaged Hair
    • 3.4 Some Users May Have Overused the Products
  • 4 There Are Good Ingredients in Kristin Ess Products
  • 5 Try Kristin Ess's Products Anyway
    • 5.1 Related Articles
    • 5.2 The Bottom Line

Key Takeaways

  • Kristin Ess Products and Hair Loss Concerns: We have tested and used multiple Kristin Ess products without experiencing hair loss. Also, despite customer reports of excessive shedding, there is no scientific evidence linking Kristin Ess's hair care products to hair loss. When using these products, it's essential to consider individual reactions and hair types, from curly hair to fine hair.
  • Ingredients Matter for Healthy Hair: Some ingredients in Kristin Ess products, like sodium chloride and artificial fragrances, could irritate the scalp and cause dry hair. Users with sensitive scalps or dry hair types should be cautious when using products with these ingredients.
  • Personal Hair Care Routine: Hair thinning and hair loss can be influenced by several factors, including product buildup, hormonal changes, and hair care routines. Choosing the right shampoo, whether for oily hair, dry scalp, or thin hair, and understanding your specific hair needs is crucial.
  • Patch Testing and Usage Instructions: For best results and to minimize potential risks, perform a patch test before fully incorporating any Kristin Ess product into your hair care routine. Follow usage instructions carefully to avoid overuse, especially for products like hair masks and clarifying shampoos.
  • Individual Variability and Hair Health: Your hair's health is influenced by various factors, including dietary habits, environmental stressors, and genetic predispositions. A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, proper scalp care, and avoiding excessive heat can contribute to maintaining healthy hair strands.

Does Kristin Ess Cause Hair Loss?

There is no scientific evidence to back up any hair loss claims pertaining to Kristin Ess's products. We've read hundreds of online reviews from ladies with various hair types, and the overall reviews are pretty good.

Even so, Kristin Ess products could cause hair loss in some instances.

An African American lady has been experiencing hair thinning and loss (or hair fall) on her curly fine hair strands.

Like any other hair product, it really depends on the ingredients used within the particular hair product and how those ingredients interact with your hair.

Kristen Ess's products are extremely popular among women in America, but that doesn't mean they're without fault. In fact, many people have heard through the grapevine that some of Kristen Ess's products might cause hair loss.

Customers Are Speaking Up

There is no scientific evidence to back up any hair loss claims pertaining to Kristin Ess's products. However, we found many customer reviews on Amazon, Target, and elsewhere that suggest Kristen Ess's products might do more harm than good in certain situations.

Customers directly state that they experienced excessive shedding and hair loss after using Kristen Ess's products.

Here are the two products that had the most reviews mentioning hair loss: 

  1. Kristin Ess One Signature Shampoo - This shampoo is designed to add volume and body to your hair as it gently cleanses. It's safe for color-treated hair and contains no sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. However, some customers have reported that it caused their hair to fall out in clumps.
  2. Kristin Ess Hair One Signature Conditioner - This is a rich and creamy conditioner formulated to keep your vibrant colors looking fresh while protecting your hair against damage. It contains nourishing plant extracts and oils that help to strengthen and moisturize your hair. Yet, people are seeing increased hair shedding after using it.
Light-skinned African American female with naturally curly hair strands styled with a texturizing spray that smells good.

It's important to note that everyone's hair is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. Just because some people have experienced hair loss after using Kristen Ess's products doesn't mean that you will, too.

Why People Experience Hair Loss with Kristin Ess Products

It’s been established that Kristin Ess shampoo and conditioner are thought to cause hair loss per customer reviews. But could there really be something to these reviews? Here are a few reasons why these products could be to blame for these bad hair outcomes: 

A curly girl cleaned her hair with a rich lather shampoo with a proprietary strengthening complex designed to moisturize.

The Products’ Ingredients Are Questionable at Best

Kristen Ess's products contain ingredients known to be unhealthy for the hair. Here are a few of them:

  1. Sodium chloride - Also known as salt, sodium chloride is used to thicken hair and beauty products. Unfortunately, it can be extremely drying the hair.
  2. Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate- This surfactant is known to be harsh on the hair, making it dry, brittle, and prone to damage. Your chances of experiencing hair loss from this ingredient are increased if your hair is already compromised.
  3. Artificial fragrance - Many hair products contain a synthetic fragrance, the components of which are a closely guarded secret. These fragrances can cause scalp irritation and hair dryness, eventually leading to hair loss. 
  4. Acrylates copolymer - This plastic derivative is a thickening agent in hair products. It is thought to be a possible carcinogen and can cause scalp irritation, leading to hair loss.
  5. Methylchloroisothiazolinone - This is a preservative that is used in Kristen Ess's conditioner. It is known to cause allergic reactions and scalp irritation. And when it's used in conjunction with methylisothiazolinone (another preservative found in Kristen Ess conditioner), your chances of hair loss from a bad scalp reaction are even higher.

These are just some of the ingredients in Kristen Ess' products that are potentially harmful. There are many other potential culprits, as well.

A beautiful black woman normally wears styles designed to protect hair to prevent damaged cuticles and split ends.

Some Customers May Have Been Allergic

Another possibility is that some customers may have been allergic to something in the products. When you have an allergic reaction to a hair product, your scalp may become inflamed, itchy, and irritated.

This can lead to hair loss, especially if you continue to use the products. 

Some Customers May Have Already Damaged Hair

When your hair starts to fall out, it can be challenging to determine the cause. But it’s almost second nature to blame the last product you used.

This is how a lot of products get a bad rap.

The truth is that when you already have compromised hair, you’re more likely to experience a bad hair outcome, even if the product was only mildly irritating. This could be the case for some of the customers. 

An excited female used dry shampoo with a strong smell to temporarily clean her natural 3B curls.

Some Users May Have Overused the Products

When a product is misused, it can cause all sorts of problems, including hair loss. For example, using too much shampoo can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving you with fragile hair just waiting to break off.

In the case of Kristin Ess products, there's a warning on shampoo and conditioner product pages that says, "Do not overuse." Perhaps some of the consumers were not following the product usage instructions.

Kristin Ess do not overuse
Screenshot of the safety information from Amazon's product page for Kristin Ess Hair One Signature Shampoo.

There Are Good Ingredients in Kristin Ess Products

Though there are some questionable ingredients in Kristen Ess's products, there are also some good ones. For example, the shampoo contains avocado oil and castor oil, which are known to be beneficial for hair health.

It also includes a few plant-based extracts, which can soothe an irritated scalp.

The conditioner also contains some good ingredients, including fatty alcohols for hair hydration and keratin for hair cuticle strength. Like the shampoo, the conditioner contains certain plant extracts to increase hair shine and protect it from UV radiation.

So, while there may be some potential issues with Kristen Ess's products, the products are not all bad. 

A lady with dry hair wearing natural curls styled with a flower extract seed butter and coconut oil for her dry ends.

Try Kristin Ess's Products Anyway

If you want to try Kristin Ess's products, go ahead! There's no concrete evidence that they cause hair loss. Anecdotally, some people have reported hair loss after using Kristin Ess's products.

But it's hard to know if the products were the cause or if other factors were at play. However, the ingredient lists are rife with potential irritants - that cannot be ignored.

Just be careful.

It's always best to do a patch test before using any new products on all of your hair, especially if you have a sensitive scalp. To do a patch test, apply a small amount of the product to an inconspicuous area of your hair and scalp.

Wait 24 hours to see if there is any redness, itching, or burning. And if you feel leery about a product, keep your eyes peeled for increased hair shedding. If there is, the product is not suitable for you.

If you decide to use Kristin Ess's products, we recommend following the instructions carefully. Don't leave any of her treatments in your hair for longer than directed.

When it comes down to it, you'll have to decide whether Kristin Ess's products are worth the risk. 

A girl with curly hair washed her hair with a quarter-sized amount of high-lathering sulfate-free shampoo.

Related Articles

  • When I Wash My Hair It Falls Out
  • Why Is My Hair Shorter in the Back
  • My Hair Is Breaking Off at the Top
  • Does Not Washing Hair Cause Hair Loss?

The Bottom Line

Kristin Ess's products may cause hair loss in some people. The potential culprits lie in the products’ ingredient lists. Other issues may come down to how customers use the products and whether they already have severely damaged hair.

We hope this article has helped you make an informed decision about whether to try or continue to use Kristin Ess's products. And, as always, we wish you the best with your hair!

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About Kenneth Byrd

Kenneth Byrd, with a BS in Accounting and Management Information Systems and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has over 15 years of experience and is a recognized authority in hair care. Co-founder of Curl Centric® and Natural Hair Box, Kenneth has dedicated himself to promoting ethical and scientifically-backed hair care practices. Rigorous editorial guidelines, industry recognitions, and features in numerous media outlets evidence his expertise. Kenneth’s commitment to transparency, quality, and empowerment has positioned him as a trusted voice in the field, empowering readers to confidently embrace their natural beauty.

Kira Byrd wearing short pixie cut

Hey, I'm Kira!

Curl Centric is a curly hair blog created by husband-and-wife team Kenneth and Kira Byrd. With over 15 years of experience and a community of 10,000+ daily readers, we share trusted techniques to help you embrace and care for your natural curls with confidence.

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CurlCentric.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher. Curl Centric® services, articles, content, and products are provided for informational purposes only. Curl Centric does not provide professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Curl Centric follows a strict editorial policy that produces accurate, factual, and honest content to help you make the right hair care decisions. Curl Centric has an affiliate relationship for some of the products that we recommend. We may receive compensation if purchases are made using our links, at no extra cost to you. CurlCentric.com is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. To ensure that we maintain our editorial integrity, our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our sponsors and advertisers. The product recommendations and advertisers that appear on Curl Centric are from companies that compensate us through an exclusive, full-service ad management partner. This compensation does not influence the content we publish or the product reviews shown on our site.

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